Impact(0) Toronto FC(0) – Post game: Pros and Cons

As I watched this match from BMO’s media box two things came to mind: the first year Montreal Impact can be proud of what they’ve achieved this season and, man, Toronto FC has really fallen on bad times. The feeling in Toronto is far from that off a couple years ago when supporters were fully behind their team. Fans have reached their frustration limit, and are vocal in pointing that out, which led to the current Coach Mariner challenging a fan to “meet in the parking lot” after a recent loss. The Canadian Derby has lost a bit of luster, because Toronto has lost a lot of luster. Here’s how it played out.

PRO: Troy Perkins registered his 4th shut out in just 8 games played since joining the Impact in a trade from Portland. Perkins is providing the reliable goal tending needed for his team to compete. The back line of Jeb Brovsky, Davy Arnaud, Hassoun Camara and Matteo Ferrari were solid enough to prevent any real threat Toronto tried to muster up. Ferrari in particular had a stand out game, showing the slide tackling skills of a veteran. Without Nesta in the line up, Ferrari usually steps up to lead and did that yet again. Arnaud at right full back is interesting to watch because I believe if he wants to extend his career, he should consider staying there. Arnaud has the defensive discipline to be an effective fullback and enough offensive ideas to offer something in the final third periodically.

CON: It was far from a top offensive group the Impact faced against Toronto FC yet you can see why their road record is so abysmal. There is an undeniable lack of defensive discipline in the group that regularly threatens to give the game away at any given moment. As early as the 5th minute, Toronto’s only offensive weapon Eric Hassli had a clear header at goal from 12 yards out, Hassli’s accuracy was poor and Perkins made an easy save in the end. But the loose marking was a repeat of past issues. Hassoun Camara escaped punishment in the 17th minute after a clear over the ball tackle on Toronto’s top draft pick Silva. I’ve seen red cards issued for far less, luckily the referee and his assistants did not see the play from the angle I did, or Camara may have been ejected in the 17th minute.

PRO: So odd to see Collen Warner playing as a wide midfielder that admittedly it took me a bit to accurately assess him. In the end Warner nearly stole the three points in the 91st minute but a great save from Toronto Gk Hall denied the hard working midfielde. Overall Warner showed well and provided dangerous crosses into the Toronto box and tracked back defensively to help his full back Arnaud when needed. Warner was a reason the Impact won the “crosses from open play’ category, something they don’t do nearly enough of. Callum Mallace started in the center of midfield for the second game in a row, which shows the trust Coach Marsch has in the young rookie. Mallace will only get better with these valuable minutes and to be fair he looked more comfortable this time than in his previous two outings. Alongside Mallace, Patrice Bernier ran the show yet again. If Bernier is not the Impact’s most valuable player at season’s end I would be absolutely stunned.

CON: With Warner at right midfield and Mallace at center midfield, that amounts to 2 players playing in positions that are not their best. This shows a lack of depth in the team. Both players did admirably well but that’s all relative when you consider the opposition was the worst team in MLS. Both players were constantly out of position defensively and offensively simply because their tactical awareness was slow. This can be chalked up to lack of positional practice. I like Warner, he is a meat and potatoes midfielder whose best attribute is his high work rate. But he should not be considered a versatile player because he has weaknesses in his game and therefore should only be put in situations to succeed for the team. Warner at right midfield is like Arnaud at right midfield, neither player possess the offensive creativity required to be effective at that position. As for Mallace, he is not a starting caliber player, just yet, therefore should never start.

PRO: Always pleased to see Sanna Nyassi be a handful for defenders. Nyassi was a constant thorn in Toronto’s side, using his speed and movement to create havoc. Up front Andrew Wenger got yet another important start to gain more valuable experience. Wenger was more involved in this game than his last outing and got himself in positions to cause plenty of danger. It was clear from watching Wenger, he must have got a talking to from the Coach about his improved movement and his efforts to increase his influence in games. Wenger’s partner Marco Di Vaio was also in the mood. MDV looked energetic and seemed the only thing on his mind was to lead his team to victory; something he’s use to doing with his former Serie A teams. The front three of Nyassi, Wenger and Di Vaio accounted for 12 of the team’s 17 shots, this is a real plus.

CON: Just so it doesn’t seem I’m picking on Nyassi all season long, I’ll just say this: Nyassi did enough to score yet again….but the fact is he did not yet again. Memo to Sanna: “Take the time before and after each practice to work on your finishing and you will be an annual all-star”. Good kid, bad finisher! As for Andrew Wenger he deserved more from the game after working so hard to help his team. Wenger was presented with a good chance as early as the 3rd minute, then again at the 6th minute and should have scored. Wenger’s first chance in minute three was a real chance and needed the finishing skills of sniping goal scorer. If not for bad first touches of Wenger in the 3rd and 6th minute as well as an early second half chance, the Impact should have been leading early.

PRO: Marco Di Vaio has shown he’s not just here for a pay check. MDV continues to work hard and show he is here for the right reasons.

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Sports Highlights

Video

OAK0SFG0Bottom 1 Inning

PHI5NYY1Top 8 Inning

TOR4PIT8Bottom 6 Inning

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MIA7MIAFLA1Bottom 7 Inning

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CIN0CLE0Top 1 Inning

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ATL0HOU07:30 PM

CHI0WAS08:00 PM

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NYK0SAC07:00 PM

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CLB0WAS07:00 PM

TAM0BUF07:30 PM

FLA0TOR07:30 PM

MIN0OTT08:00 PM

DAL0NYI08:30 PM

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